Bowl win gives Georgia Bulldogs momentum heading into 2010

Marc Weiszer

Wednesday

Dec 30, 2009 at 12:01 AM

SHREVEPORT, La. - Joe Cox high-fived Georgia fans one by one as the senior quarterback ran into a tunnel after the Bulldogs' 44-20 Independence Bowl victory Monday night, pausing to throw his wristbands into the crowd.

It was the final exit of Cox's Bulldogs career, but 10 other offensive starters could return in 2010.

On defense, change is coming, whether or not juniors Rennie Curran and Reshad Jones return or jump to the NFL.

Coach Mark Richt will hire a new defensive coordinator and two other defensive assistants, and he could have as many as six new defensive starters.

At the end of a long season that ended with more losses than any of Richt's nine at Georgia, the victory over Texas A&M was a chance to live in the moment.

"It was for the seniors," Richt said. "It was for the 2009 season. It was about finishing strong in 2009. It wasn't about the future. The only thing I talked to the players in regards to the future is the next group of seniors. It's on their watch now, and they've got to decide how they want to lead this team."

Georgia began the season ranked No. 13 but started 4-4, including blowout losses to Tennessee and Florida. It closed with victories in four of its last five games - including at No. 7 Georgia Tech - giving Georgia 13 consecutive eight-win seasons, which is the longest such streak in the country.

"If you're at one of the top-echelon schools, obviously eight wins would be considered disappointing," defensive line coach Rodney Garner said. "Under the circumstances with the guys we lost last year - with [Matthew] Stafford and [Knowshon] Moreno, Corvey Irvin and Asher Allen - for those guys to win eight games, I'm very proud of them. I'm very proud of them for not tanking it."

A.J. Green should be among the top receivers in the nation in 2010, and emerging running backs Washaun Ealey and Caleb King return, along with tight ends Aron White and Orson Charles.

Georgia will have a quarterback starting his first college game Sept. 4 against Louisiana-Lafayette, whether it's Aaron Murray or Zach Mettenberger - both redshirt freshmen - or junior Logan Gray, who could move to receiver.

On defense, the departures of Geno Atkins, Jeff Owens and Kade Weston leave a sizable void at defensive tackle. Justin Houston and Demarcus Dobbs, who combined for 12 sacks, are back at end.

"There's a lot of ifs, but I think there's a good nucleus in place, and I think there's good personnel going forward with whatever direction coach Richt goes in," Garner said.

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